Pericardial Effusion Flashcards
(29 cards)
What is pericardial effusion?
Pericardial space filled with excessive fluid
What results from pericardial effusion?
Decreased/inadequate cardiac output
What dictates the onset and severity of clinical signs assoc. w/pericardial effusion?
Amt of fluid and rate at which the pericardial space fills
Intrapericardial pressure equals or exceeds R atrial pressure resulting in CV and hemodynamic compromise
Cardiac tamponade
What emergency/life-saving procedure can also be used as a diagnostic procedure to evaluate pericardial effusion?
Pericardiocentesis
Where is the pericardial space located?
Between parietal and visceral layers of serous pericardium
Why does cardiac dysfunction result from pericardial effusion?
Too much pressure for the heart to expand and fill
A form of cardiogenic shock that develops when the intrapericardial pressure equals or exceeds R atrial pressure
Cardiac tamponade
What cardiac parameters are impaired with cardiac tamponade?
Venous return, ventricular filling, SV, and CO
What is the most common neoplastic cause of pericardial effusion in the heart of a dog?
Hemangiosarcoma (RA/auricle)
What toxicity can cause coagulopathy that leads to pericardial effusion?
Rodenticide toxicity
Which side of CHF can cause pericardial effusion in dogs?
R-CHF (either in cats)
What is the most common neoplasm of the heart in a cat?
Lymphosarcoma
What infectious disease of cats can cause pericardial effusion?
FIP
What is the most common cause of pericardial effusion in a horse?
Idiopathic
What is the most common cause of pericardial effusion in a cow?
Traumatic reticuloperitonitis (Hardware dz)
What are clinical signs of pericardial effusion?
Muffled heart sounds, poor pulse quality, jugular vein distension
What will you see on rads of a pericardial effusion?
Round cardiac silhouette, large caudal vena cava, hepatomegaly
Pattern of alternating variation in R-wave amplitude
Electrical alternans
What will you see on an ECG of a pericardial effusion?
Tachycardia, VPCs, electrical alternans
What is the gold standard for diagnosing pericardial effusion?
Echo
What type of fluid is most frequently retrieved from a pericardial effusion?
Hemorrhagic
What clinicopathologic findings are assoc. w/pericardial effusion?
Anemia, pre-renal azotemia, pulsus paradoxus
Exaggeration of the normal inspiratory decrease in systolic blood pressure
Pulsus paradoxus
